Category: No Expert News

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Best of the best

and the Northern Hemisphere winner for BEST FOOD is

The Ledbury

See posts:-

The Ledbury – embarassing leaks

Runner up – Chez Bruce

and the Southern Hemisphere winner for BEST FOOD is

Tetsuya’s –  Sydney

See post:-

Tetsuya’s – Its a knockout

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Worst of the worst

1. 

and the winner for WORST FOOD is

Dog & Fox  – Wimbledon Village

See post :-

Dog & Fox – less is more

Runners up –

Altitude 360

Menier Chocolate Factory

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Worst of the worst

and the winner for MOST DISAPPOINTING FOOD is

Murano’s – London

See post:-

Murano – oh dear!

Runner up – Tom Aikens

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For information on the other awards, see

• No Expert Annual Awards – Other categories

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Best Starter of the Year

• Gravadlax and beetroot club sandwich with herring salade lyonaise and horseradish : Chez Bruce

Best Main Course of the Year

• Skate Poached in Brown Butter with Truffle Puree, Cauliflower, Parmesan Gnocchi and Sea Vegetables : The Ledbury.

Best Dessert – 2 winners

• Passion Fruit Souffle with Sauterne Ice cream : The Ledbury.
• Raspberries/vinegar and quark Ice cream/vinaigrette – or RED as it was called on the menu : Moments in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Barcelona).

Worst Dessert- 2 winners

• Peanut butter crumble with caramelized bananas – Muranos : A boring, unattractive dessert (one of these occasions where it would help to have a peanut allergy, so as to avoid accidentally ordering it).
• Strawberry shortcake at the Blueprint Cafe : Not my idea of shortcake. It was  more like oatcake, with cream and strawberries, basically rather dull.

Best Service

• Foliage, Mandarin Oriental Hotel (London) – closely followed by Moments in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Barcelona).

Worst Service

• Tetsuya’s (Sydney) – more for the handling of an incident rather than overall service. Saying sorry always helps. See Tetsuya’s – It’s a knockout for details.
  

Best Bread

• Tom Aikens

Best Brunch

• Champagne brunch in the Winter Garden : The Landmark.

Most disappointing – Places where the hype was  really out of step with our experience.

• Muranos

Best value for money – 3 winners here

• The Landmark : Champagne brunch in the Winter Garden – SERIOUSLY. I know  it is expensive but you more than get your money’s worth, fabulous selection of food and unlimited champagne.
• Coq d’Argent : A Top Table deal of £19 for 3 courses that included escargot and venison.
• The Atheneaum : Another Top Table deal, a Christmas menu providing 2 substantial courses for £24.50 or 3 for £29.50 – with coffee and mince pies and a glass of “really good” champagne.

Worst value for money

• The Blueprint Cafe – even with a couple of courses free (using Top Table points), it was still far too expensive for the food quality delivered.

The £21 Fish & Chips at The Mayflower Inn, might have won this award, but since the price stopped us even trying that dish, I can not judge. However I still do not believe any Pub should get away with charging £21 for Fish & Chips.

Best View

• 30|40 at the Gerkin